From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has directed the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Frederick Ikyaan, to liaise with principals of secondary schools and furnish his office within 96 hours, the total number of teachers in schools, subjects they teach, non-teaching staff and condition of schools.
The governor, who gave the directive during a meeting with principals of all secondary schools, said such steps were taken to reposition education in the state.
He said government had noted with dissatisfaction, certain anomalies in the system that are unacceptable, adding that his administration has banned the collection of cash by cashiers and advised schools to embrace the automated payment system.
The governor also announced the splitting of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management into the Ministry of Basic Education and that of Secondary and Tertiary Education, expressing optimism that the new arrangement would ease administrative bottlenecks.
He also disclosed that the state government would no longer register NECO and WAEC final year examinations this year for students like was done last year, explaining that the decision was to cushion the hardship faced by citizens during the early days of fuel subsidy removal.
In a remark, Ikyaan said Governor Alia had demonstrated political will to reposition education, describing the split as appropriate.
Responding on behalf of principals, the State President of All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Robert Apir commended Governor Alia for the initiative, assuring him of total support for the policy to succeed.
